Rick the Painter is due at nine this morning to start work on the ugly bedroom. At nine-thirty, I’m out the door to the Y for pool class at ten.

Planning is now under way for the ceremonial interment of Edmund’s ashes at Beechwood in Ottawa, where the National Military Cemetery is located. It will be done on 9 October, the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. I have booked the padre, poked the JAG Old Boys’ Net, and bought a return train ticket; two solo road trips to and from Ottawa in one season is a lot more than I feel equal to. And I booked a cat-minder. The padre, a musician himself, will engage a piper and a bugler to provide the traditional calls.

I have no idea yet what to do about the equally traditional drinks and lunch after, but I’m sure there’s a mess somewhere that will be open — perhaps even the Army Officers’ Mess where Edmund was a member for the better part of 25 years.

I will be soooo glad when this is done and dusted.